BRIEF HISTORY OF THE USA

         The history of the USA dates back only to the 15th centu­ry. In the 15th century there was no USA at all. The present territory of the USA was divided among some countries. In the 15th — 16th centuries some territory of the USA belonged to Great Britain (northern and western lands); southern parts (California, Florida, New Mexico, Texas) belonged to Spain, then — to Mexico; the central part, the territory was called Louisiana — to France; Alaska was possessed by Russia; some territories remained to be under Indians control.

            In 18th century there were only thirteen Britain’s Ameri­can colonies and they broke with Great Britain in 1776 and later were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America, following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the ori­ginal 13 as the nation expanded their frontiers across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions.

           There were three most dramatic experiences in the nation’s history: the Civil War (1861-1865), the Great Depression of the 1930s and Vietnam War of the 1960s — 70s.

             After its victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the USA remains the world’s most pow­erful state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low un­employment and inflation, and great advances in technology.

         Nowadays USA is world’s third-largest country by size (af­ter Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India). It is about half the size of Russia or lightly larger than China or Brazil.

QUESTIONS:

1. When did the history of the USA begin?
2. How many Britain’s American colonies were there in North America in the 18 th century?
3. What were three most dramatic experiences in the USA history?
4. When did the Civil War happen?
5. When did the Great Depression happen?
6. When did Vietnam War happen?
7. When did the Cold War finish?

VOCABULARY:

to possess — иметь, владеть

to remain — оставаться

to recognize — зд.признавать

treaty — договор, конвенция

to acquire — получать, приобретать

to expand — увеличивать, расширять

frontier — граница

powerful — мощный

steady — стабильный, устойчивый

unemployment — безработица

advance — продвижение вперед, прогресс, улучшение